Christmas Tamales Tradition: Explained

Published on December 20th, 2022
Updated on December 11th, 2024

 HOW DID TAMALES BECOME A CHRISTMAS TRADITION?

It’s tamale time. Goldbelly is one hot tamale, packing up warm bundles of corn masa stuffed with savory or sweet fillings and spreading Christmas cheer this holiday season. This Mexican comfort food has a long history and is an essential part of every major holiday, particularly Christmas. It’s also the perfect portable snack for holiday travelers.

Read More: What is Comfort Food

What is a Tamale?

Made of masa, a dough made of maize (corn), Mexican tamales are stuffed with: 

• Beans
• Cheese 
• Pork
• Seasoned meat
• Veggies 

or sweet fillings like: 

• Coconut
• Pineapple
• Raisins

They are steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf, making for the ultimate hand-held snack or meal. Tamales can be made to accommodate special diets like gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

How Did Tamales Become a Christmas tradition?

Tamales have been eaten for centuries — the Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, Toltecs, and Olmecs ate them — and corn had a special place in Mesoamerica. These bundles of corn were offered as sacrifices to the gods as many believed corn was used by the gods to make humans.

The time-honored tradition of making — and eating — Christmas tamales begins before Christmas. It extends through the 12th day of Christmas. The fun begins on December 12, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Mexican holiday that commemorates when the Virgin Mary appeared before a peasant, Juan Diego, in the 16th century. The feasting ends on January 6, which is Epiphany, the last day of Christmas and the day the three kings visited Jesus after his birth. 

During this nearly month-long period, tamaladas (tamale making parties) are held, and families and friends come together to make Christmas tamales with a variety of fillings like chicken and Hatch chiles, black beans and cheese, and even newer creations like El Charro Cafe‘s Vegan Hazelnut Dessert Tamales. These hazelnut tamales are made with hazelnuts, hazelnut spread, and a dash of cinnamon. 
Tamale making isn’t just reserved for Christmas. Talamadas are also held before important celebrations like wedding anniversaries and baptisms.

How to Eat a Tamale

To eat a tamale, simply unwrap the corn husk wrapper like a Christmas present and dig in! Tamales make an excellent Christmas dinner or a tasty snack to eat during your holiday travels. Some food explorers like to top their tamales with tomatillo sauce or red chile sauce.

Most Famous Tamales

The most famous tamales are Christmas tamales from Texas and beyond. Let the pros do the work this holiday season and treat yourself to ready-to-taste tamales shipping nationwide!

Read More: Traditional Christmas Foods Across America

Be a ho-ho-hot tamale. Ship classic Christmas tamales nationwide with Goldbelly to everyone on your list.